When we pursue happiness, it eludes you. However, when you recognise that happiness is the natural state of the soul, all you need is to eliminate all that comes between your happiness and you.
Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience.
The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel our awareness
into a more positive direction by totally transforming one's state of
mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self.
The entire process of meditation usually entails the three stages of concentration
(dharana),
meditation (dhyana)
and enlightenment or absorption (samadhi).
The individual preparing to meditate usually starts off by harnessing
his awareness, such as focussing his mind onto a certain object. Once
attention gets engaged, concentration turns into meditation or dhyana.
And through continuous meditation, the meditator merges with the object
of concentration, which might either be the present moment or the Divine
Entity.
In some branches of Indian philosopohy, direct perception from the inner
self (mana) together with perception that is filtered through the
five senses (pancha indriya) form a part of their valid epistemology
(pratyaksha jnana). And this self-realization or self-awareness
(as popularized by Paramahansa
Yogananda), is nothing but the knowledge of the "pure being"—the
Self.
Humanity
is increasingly turning towards various meditative techniques in order
to cope with the increasing stress
of modern-day lifestyles. Unable to locate stability in the outside world,
people have directed their gaze inwards in a bid to attain peace of mind.
Modern psychotherapists have begun to discover various therapeutic benefits
of meditation practices. The state of relaxation and the altered state
of consciousness—both induced by meditation—are especially effective
in psychotherapy.
But more than anything else, meditation is being used as a personal
growth device these days—for inculcating a more positive
attitude towards life at large.
Meditation is not necessarily a religious practice, but because of its
spiritual element it forms an integral part of most religions. And even
though the basic objective of most meditation styles remain the same and
are performed in a state of inner and outer stillness, they all vary according
to the specific religious framework within which they are placed. Preparation,
posture, length of period of meditation, particular verbal or visual elements—all
contribute to the various forms of meditation. Some
of the more popular methods are, Transcendental
Meditation, yoga nidra, vipassana
and mindfulness meditation.
